Arlington Police Solve 34-Year-Old Cold Case with University of Texas at Arlington Students

Cold Case Partnership

• 🤝 The Arlington Police Department partnered with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to tackle cold cases, leveraging student dedication and academic resources.
• 💡 This collaboration allowed select students to devote significant time and energy to reviewing complex, long-unsolved cases.

The Cynthia Gonzalez Case

• 📅 In September 1991, Cynthia Gonzalez was reported missing and later found deceased, having been shot multiple times.
• 🔍 Despite extensive investigation over the years, detectives were unable to make an arrest in her murder.
• 🎯 The case was assigned to UTA students this semester, who meticulously reviewed the extensive case files.

Breakthrough and Arrest

• 🗣️ Students' focused questions about Janie Perkins, a friend of the victim, prompted detectives to re-examine her involvement.
• ⚠️ Perkins had previously failed polygraph tests related to the murder and made disturbing statements, but lacked sufficient evidence for charges at the time.
• 🧩 By comparing witness statements detailing Perkins' admissions and specific knowledge of the crime with existing evidence, detectives found probable cause.
• ✊ On November 6, Janie Perkins was arrested and charged with capital murder.

Impact and Gratitude

• 🎉 The arrest brought closure to Cynthia Gonzalez's family after 34 years, with her daughter expressing profound gratitude for the program and the students' work.
• 🎓 Professor Patricia Eddings expressed immense pride in her students' dedication and the productive nature of the course.
• 🌟 The partnership highlights the value of community collaboration and provides hope for other families seeking justice in unsolved cases.